Spurs notebook: Spurs cut Curry, Brown

Center Eddy Curry and forward Derrick Brown were waived Tuesday, leaving the Spurs with two candidates for the 15th and final roster spot.

The cuts were somewhat surprising after coach Gregg Popovich indicated during last weekend’s road trip that the battle had come down to Curry and Brown.

Instead, the last men standing are veteran forward Josh Powell, who won a pair of championships with the Los Angeles Lakers, and Wesley Witherspoon, an undrafted free agent from Memphis.

The announcement was made after Tuesday’s media availability, during which Popovich said there is no guarantee the Spurs will keep any of their free agents.

“We’ll have to make some decisions here in the next few days as far as what those spots are going to look like at the end of the roster,” he said. “We’ll be talking about that pretty adamantly.”

Dress rehearsal: Popovich said he isn’t overly concerned with the Spurs’ 3-3 preseason record. He would, however, like to see an improved performance in their final exhibition game against Washington on Friday.

“I think we’ve been really wonderful in practices and mediocre at best in games,” Popovich said. “We want to play better (on Friday) than we’ve been playing.”

As such, he said his regulars will “most likely” see significant playing time against the Wizards.

That sounds good to guard Manu Ginobili, who is hoping for around 30 minutes.

‘D’ up: The Spurs have had mixed — albeit extremely early — results in the quest to stave off their defensive decline in recent years.

They had played relatively well in the first four games, holding each opponent below 44 percent from the floor. Then came last weekend’s Florida road trip, during which Miami — without LeBron James — shot 52.7 percent and Orlando shot 49.4 percent.

“We’ve shown it in practice, but it hasn’t been there in games,” Popovich said. “So the court is still out to see if we’re making an impression on the group or not.”

With good reason. Leonard, who has been pegged as a breakout star by some observers, is shooting 24 percent in five preseason games, roughly half what he shot last year (49.3 percent) during his rookie season.

The Spurs' Eddy Curry shoots during the first half of an NBA preseason basketball game against the Atlanta Hawks, Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012, in San Antonio.

The Spurs' Eddy Curry shoots during the first half of an NBA preseason basketball game against the Atlanta Hawks, Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012, in San Antonio.

Photo: Darren Abate / Associated Press

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Patty Mills (from left) Stephen Jackson, Tim Duncan and Eddy Curry of the Spurs react as teammate Nando De Colo sinks the winning shot as the Spurs beat the Atlanta Hawks 101-99 during preseason NBA action at the AT&T Center on Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012. less

Patty Mills (from left) Stephen Jackson, Tim Duncan and Eddy Curry of the Spurs react as teammate Nando De Colo sinks the winning shot as the Spurs beat the Atlanta Hawks 101-99 during preseason NBA action at ... more

Photo: Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News

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The Atlanta Hawks' Jeff Teague (right) is defended by the Spurs' Cory Joseph (5) and Eddy Curry during the first half Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012, in San Antonio.

The Atlanta Hawks' Jeff Teague (right) is defended by the Spurs' Cory Joseph (5) and Eddy Curry during the first half Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012, in San Antonio.

Photo: Darren Abate / Associated Press

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The Spurs' Eddy Curry shoots around Montepaschi Siena's Luca Lechthaler during second half action Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012, at the AT&T Center. The Spurs won 106-77.

The Spurs' Eddy Curry shoots around Montepaschi Siena's Luca Lechthaler during second half action Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012, at the AT&T Center. The Spurs won 106-77.

Photo: Edward A. Ornelas / San Antonio Express-News

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The Spurs' Eddy Curry looks for room around Montepaschi Siena's Luca Lechthaler during second half action Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012, at the AT&T Center. The Spurs won 106-77.

The Spurs' Eddy Curry looks for room around Montepaschi Siena's Luca Lechthaler during second half action Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012, at the AT&T Center. The Spurs won 106-77.

Photo: Edward A. Ornelas / San Antonio Express-News

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Eddy Curry of the New York Knicks sits on the bench and watches his teammates take on the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on Nov. 4, 2010, in Chicago.

Eddy Curry of the New York Knicks sits on the bench and watches his teammates take on the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on Nov. 4, 2010, in Chicago.

Photo: Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images

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Eddy Curry #34 of the New York Knicks poses for a portrait during NBA Media Day on Sept. 29, 2008, at the Madison Square Garden Training Center in Greenburgh, N.Y.

Eddy Curry #34 of the New York Knicks poses for a portrait during NBA Media Day on Sept. 29, 2008, at the Madison Square Garden Training Center in Greenburgh, N.Y.

Photo: Ray Amati / NBAE via Getty Images

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The New York Knicks' Eddy Curry talks to reporters during the NBA basketball team's media day in Greenburgh, N.Y., on Sept. 28, 2009.

The New York Knicks' Eddy Curry talks to reporters during the NBA basketball team's media day in Greenburgh, N.Y., on Sept. 28, 2009.

Photo: Henny Ray Abrams / Associated Press

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New York Knicks center Eddy Curry (34) goes up past Orlando Magic forward Rashard Lewis (9) for a shot during the first half in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, March 1, 2008.

New York Knicks center Eddy Curry (34) goes up past Orlando Magic forward Rashard Lewis (9) for a shot during the first half in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, March 1, 2008.

Photo: John Raoux / Associated Press

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New York Knicks center Eddy Curry goes high to score over the Spurs defense in the first half Friday, Jan. 4, 2008, at the AT&T Center.

New York Knicks center Eddy Curry goes high to score over the Spurs defense in the first half Friday, Jan. 4, 2008, at the AT&T Center.

Photo: Tom Reel / San Antonio Express-News

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Spurs center Tim Duncan watches the ball bounce away after he lost control while posting against the New York Knicks' Eddy Curry in the final minutes Friday, Jan. 4, 2008, at the AT&T Center. The Spurs won 97-93. less

Spurs center Tim Duncan watches the ball bounce away after he lost control while posting against the New York Knicks' Eddy Curry in the final minutes Friday, Jan. 4, 2008, at the AT&T Center. The Spurs won ... more

Photo: Tom Reel / San Antonio Express-News

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The New York Knicks' Eddy Curry reacts after drawing a foul while scoring against the Denver Nuggets in the fourth quarter Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2007, at Madison Square Garden in New York. Curry scored 24 points in the game and the Knicks won 119-112. less

The New York Knicks' Eddy Curry reacts after drawing a foul while scoring against the Denver Nuggets in the fourth quarter Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2007, at Madison Square Garden in New York. Curry scored 24 points in ... more

Photo: Julie Jacobson / Associated Press

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The New York Knicks' Eddy Curry goes up to the basket during the first quarter against the Miami Heat Monday, Feb. 26, 2007, at Madison Square Garden in New York.

The New York Knicks' Eddy Curry goes up to the basket during the first quarter against the Miami Heat Monday, Feb. 26, 2007, at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Photo: Mary Altaffer / Associated Press

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The New York Knicks' Eddy Curry (34) dunks the ball against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the fourth quarter Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2006, in Cleveland. The Knicks won 101-98.

The New York Knicks' Eddy Curry (34) dunks the ball against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the fourth quarter Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2006, in Cleveland. The Knicks won 101-98.

Photo: Tony Dejak / Associated Press

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The New York Knicks' Eddy Curry drives to the basket past the Philadelphia 76ers' Steven Hunter in the first period of a preseason game at the Center, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2006, in Philadelphia.

The New York Knicks' Eddy Curry drives to the basket past the Philadelphia 76ers' Steven Hunter in the first period of a preseason game at the Center, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2006, in Philadelphia.

Photo: Tom Mihalek / Associated Press

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The Spurs' Tim Duncan is fouled in the second quarter by the New York Knicks' Eddy Curry on Monday, Feb 27, 2006.

The Spurs' Tim Duncan is fouled in the second quarter by the New York Knicks' Eddy Curry on Monday, Feb 27, 2006.

Photo: Gloria Ferniz / San Antonio Express-News file photo

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The Spurs' Bruce Bowen goes up for two against the New York Knicks' Eddy Curry on Monday, Feb. 27, 2006.

The Spurs' Bruce Bowen goes up for two against the New York Knicks' Eddy Curry on Monday, Feb. 27, 2006.

The Chicago Bulls' Eddy Curry (2) goes up past the New York Knicks' Nazr Mohammed (13) during the first half of play on Monday, Jan. 17, 2005 at New York's Madison Square Garden. The Bulls beat the Knicks 88-86. less

The Chicago Bulls' Eddy Curry (2) goes up past the New York Knicks' Nazr Mohammed (13) during the first half of play on Monday, Jan. 17, 2005 at New York's Madison Square Garden. The Bulls beat the Knicks ... more

Photo: Michael Kim / Associated Press

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The Chicago Bulls' Eddy Curry (center) shoots over the Philadelphia 76ers' Corliss Williamson (left) and Kenny Thomas during the third quarter, Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2005, in Chicago. The Bulls won 110-78.

The Chicago Bulls' Eddy Curry (center) shoots over the Philadelphia 76ers' Corliss Williamson (left) and Kenny Thomas during the third quarter, Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2005, in Chicago. The Bulls won 110-78.

Photo: Brian Kersey / Associated Press

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The Chicago Bulls' Eddy Curry heads to the basket during a preseason game against the New Orleans Hornets, Oct. 15, 2004, in Chicago.

The Chicago Bulls' Eddy Curry heads to the basket during a preseason game against the New Orleans Hornets, Oct. 15, 2004, in Chicago.

Photo: Jeff Roberson / Associated Press

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The Chicago Bulls' Eddy Curry (2) reacts after sinking a basket and drawing a foul as the Golden State Warriors' Nick Van Exel (37) looks on during the first quarter Saturday, Feb. 28, 2004 in Chicago. The Bulls won the game 87-81 in overtime. less

The Chicago Bulls' Eddy Curry (2) reacts after sinking a basket and drawing a foul as the Golden State Warriors' Nick Van Exel (37) looks on during the first quarter Saturday, Feb. 28, 2004 in Chicago. The ... more